Drapery

ABSTRACT

A drapery comprising a pair of panels horizontally slidable on a supporting rod. Each of the panels has a string secured thereto at one edge. The edges of the panels having the secured strings thereon are positioned adjacent each other, and are slidable away from each other. Each string has two ends, with the ends extending across the width of both panels and being slidably supported exteriorly of the panels. The pulling of each string in one direction will pull a panel away from the other. The pulling of the string in the other direction will pull the panel toward the other. In this way one or both panels of the drapery can be opened. The drapery further includes an associated valance which comprises a pair of rods which are vertically extending. The valance comprises a stretchable fabric which is stretched around the rods.

United States Patent Mednick, deceased DRAPERY [76] Inventor: Leo Mednick, deceased, late of Philadelphia, Pa. by Shirley S. Shipon, executrix 1040 Novelt Dr., Philadelphia, Pa. 19115 [22] Filed: July 28, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 276,182

[52] US. Cl 160/19, 160/126, 160/344, 248/262 [51] Int. Cl. E06b 9/00, A47n 5/32 [58] Field of-Search 160/19, 123-126, 160/330, 340, 341, 344-348, 38, 39, 327-329, 368; 248/262 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,680,482 6/1954 Sadinoff et al 160/344 3,231,952 2/1966 Zingerman... 160/348 X 2,014,752 9/1935 Vesey 160/344 X 1,436,702 11/1922 Ellis 160/344 X 1,732,447 10/1929 Crane 1 160/348 UX 2,620,027 12/1952 Eisenberg 160/327 2,681,697 6/1954 Mandella 160/19 1,147,944 7/1915 Holdensen 160/125 2,660,239 l1/l953 Burns 160/368 R X 3/1909 Kale et al 160/125 4/1919 Allen 160/125 Primary Examiner-Mervin Stein Assistant ExaminerPhilip C. Kannan Attorney, Agent, or Firm-A. D. Caesar et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A drapery comprising a pair of panels horizontally slidable on a supporting rod. Each of the panels has a string secured thereto at one edge. The edges of the panels having the secured strings thereon are positioned adjacent each other, and are slidable away from each other. Each string has two ends, with the ends extending across the width of both panels and being slidably supported exteriorly of the panels. The pulling of each string in one direction will pull a panel away from the other. The pulling of the string in the other direction will pull the panel toward the other. In this way one or both panels of the drapery can be opened. The drapery further includes an associated valance which comprises a pair of rods which are vertically extending. The valance comprises a stretchable fabric which is stretched around the rods.

14 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures sum 2 [IF 5 PAIENTED 14291974 DRAPERY This invention relates to a drapery, and more particularly, to a ready-made drapery that requires little skill in installing and operating.

Draperies are commonly installed on traverse rods which permit the opening and closing of the draperies. These rods have internally mounted drawstrings which are connected to slidable plates in the center of the rods. A plurality of loops hang from the rods, and a drapery that is to be supported by the rods must first have hooks inserted therein, which hooks are then inserted into the loops. The draperies are also secured to the movable plates, and the plates are in turn actuated by the drawstrings. This permits the opening and closing of the drapes.

Drapes of the type described above are in common usage, and serve their intended function. However, they are extremely costly. Additionally, even when ready-made drapes are used, as opposed to custom made drapes, a great deal of difficulty is encountered by the average home owner in attempting to install the traverse rods, and properly hang the drapery from the loops utilizing the hooks. Quite often, the installed drape will be extremely uneven because of the difficulties encountered in inserting the hooks into the drapery and into the loops.

In one aspect of this invention, a drapery is provided which does not require the use of any traverse rods of the type described. A simple elongated rod is used for supporting the drapery. Additionally, the drapery has a built-in drawstring system, and the cost of the expensive traverse rods is eliminated.

Since the traverse rods are not needed, there is no problem involved with the use of hooks being secured in the loops of the traverse rod. Even when hooks are used with the drapery of this invention, they are used at a given location on the drapery, and there is no problem with attempting to insert the hooks into loops of a traverse rod.

In another aspect of this invention, a novel valance is provided for the drapery. Generally, valances have been provided for draperies as an added artistic or decorative feature. Various methods have been developed for securing the valances in place, all of which are expensive and require substantial skills. In one method, a board is secured to the ceiling in front of the draperY and the valance is tacked to the board. Alternatively, box-like cornices are constructed of wood and the valances are then secured thereto. Other methods of installation of valances include the use of separate rods which project horizontally immediately under the ceiling, which rods are used to support the valance.

In the drapery of this invention, a valance is provided which can be installed at a minimum of cost and with a minimum of skill. The entire valance can be installed in less than minutes, and will have the full decorative appearance of the more elaborately installed valances.

The drapery of this invention provides a decorative effect at a minimum of cost and it requires a minimum of skill to install. Therefore, the drapery will be available to many people who could not have otherwise obtained them.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a novel drapery.

It is another object of this invention to provide a novel drapery that includes a novel valance.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a drapery that can be installed with a minimum of skill.

These and other objects of this invention are accomplished by providing a drapery comprising a horizontally mounted rod, a pair of panels slidably mounted on said rod, each of said panel having an inner edge, a drawstring attached to each of said panels. with each of said drawstrings being secured to its respective panel adjacent said inner edge, said drawstrings having outer ends which are slidably mounted exteriorly of said panels, whereby the pulling of one outer end of each drawstring will 'slide said panel along said rod in a first direction and the pulling of the other outer end of said drawstring will slide said panel in the opposite direction along said rod.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomess better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front'elevational view of the drapery of this invention, including the valance;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view, partially broken away, showing the hardware used in supporting the drapery and valance;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of one of the hardware assemblies shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of a hardware assembly;

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view, partly in section, of another modification'of the valance hardware;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view, partly broken away, of the drapery;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of the drapery of FIG. 6, and taken from the side opposite that shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the drapery.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts, a drapery embodying the present invention is generally shown at 20 in FIG. 1. Device 20 comprises a pair of panels 22 and 24 and a valance 26.

As seen in FIG. 1, the drapery 20 is mounted on a wall 28 which may include windows shown in phantom at 30.

Referring to FIG. 2, the drapery and valance are supported by a pair of hardware assemblies 32. Referring to FIG. 3, it is seen that each hardware assembly 32 includes a U-shaped bracket 34. The upper leg 36 of bracket 34 includes a pair of holes 38. The vertical leg 40 of bracket 34 includes a pair of holes 42. A plate 44 projects vertically as a flange from lower leg 46 of bracket 34.

A plate 48 projects perpendicularly to leg 40. As seen in FIG. 2, plate 48 includes a pair of spaced holes 50. A plate 52 having spaced holes 54 and an elongated slot 56 is positioned on leg 36. The plate 52 is secured in place by a bolt 58 and associated nut 60. The bolt passes through hole 38 and slot 56, and the plate 52 is adjusted to have a hole 58 project beyond the edge of leg 36.

A sleeve 62 is secured to the underside of plate 52 by a bolt 64 which passes through a hole 54 in plate 52. With the sleeve 62 thus secured, it projects vertically downward from plate 52. A tube 66 is telescoped over sleeve 62 and is frictionally held thereon. This maintains the tube 66 in a vertical position relative to plate 52.

In order to install the drapery 20, hardware assemblies 32 are secured on wall 28 by any conventional means, such as wood screws 68 (FIG. 2) which pass through holes 42. The two hardware assemblies are spaced a distance equal to the width of the drapery. After the hardward assemblies have been secured in place, a pair of screw hooks 70 is screwed into wall 28 below the hardware assemblies. With the screw hooks 70 in place, the tube 66 is slid vertically up through the hook and secured on sleeve 62, so that the tube is in the position shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, the decorative ball 72 is secured on the bottom of tube 66 and a decorative cap 74 is secured over the head of bolt 64. Cap 74 can be secured by any convenient means such as a snap fastening in the cap or by adhesive.

After the hardware assemblies 32 have been secured in place in the manner shown in FIG. 2, a rod, which is shown in phantom at 76, is positioned at lower legs 46 of brackets 34. Rod 76 can be any type of curtain rod known to the art, but is preferably a spring-loaded rod which is slightly compressed to be inserted in place. Accordingly, the ends of rod 76 will bear against plates 44. It is to be understood that any rod known to the art can be used for this purpose, such as threadedly expansible rods or merely telescoped rods. The drapery panels 22 and 24 are supported by rod 76, in a manner to be explained hereinafter.

With the drapery panels and the hardware in place, the valance 26 is then secured. The valance is shown schematically in FIG. 2. The valance is preferably formed from a narrow band of elasticized, decorative material. A preferred material for the valance is the stretchable fringe disclosed in my US. Pat. No. 3,258,942. However, it should be understood, that any material, including non-stretchable materials, can be used for this purpose. Additionally, the valance can comprise a non-stretchable material having an elastic band at the top thereof, which permits the stretching of the band.

Conventional drapery hooks (one shown at 78 in FIG. 2) are secured to the ends of the valance 26. Thereafter, the valance is wrapped around tubes 66 and stretched against the urging of the elastic material within the fabric forming the valance. The valance is held in place by the passing of hooks 78 through one of the holes 50 in plate 48. The inherent tension of the stretchable fabric maintains the valance 66 in place.

The tubes 66 and sleeves 62 can be formed from any material known to the art, such as a metal or plastic. The outer surfaces of the sleeves 62 can be roughened or knurled to aid in the gripping of tubes 66. Plastics that can be used are acry]onitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), nylon or polypropylene. The screw hooks 70 are optional, and aid in maintaining the vertical alignment of tubes 66.

It is thus seen that an extremely inexpensive and efficient method is provided for placing a valance around a drapery. The valance is easily removed for cleaning or replacement. Once the hardware has been placed, the valance can be changed in less than a minute.

A modified embodiment of the valance hardware is generally shown at 78 in FIG. 4. Embodiment 78 utilizes hardware assembly 32 in the same manner as that described above. However, in this embodiment, tube 66 is not secured to the hardware assembly 32. Instead, a threaded, pointed shank is secured in the open top of tube 66 by any conventional means. such as a pin 82. Alternatively, shank 80 can be secured in place by a press fit or by keying it within the tube.

In embodiment 78, a rod 76 will again support drapery panels 22 and 24. The valance fabric 26 has a vertically extending pocket 84 at each end thereof. After the tube 66 has been secured to the ceiling by rotating the threaded shank 80 into the ceiling, the pockets 84 are slid vertically upward on tubes 66 to secure the valance in place. The lateral edge of the valance abuts the forward edge of plate 52. If desired, two additional tubes 66 can be screwed into the ceiling at the position where the valance 26 bends around the plate 52.

Another modification of the valance hardware is generally shown at 86 in FIG. 6. In this embodiment, the hardware assembly 32 is eliminated, and the drapery is secured between two walls or within a window frame. A hollow plastic cap 88 is mounted against a ceiling or window frame top 90 by a screw 92. A screw hook 94 is mounted in wall or window frame side 96. A similar installation is made at the other wall or other side of the window frame.

A rod 76 having drapery panels thereon is mounted between the two walls 96. In this embodiment, the rod 76 is preferably spring loaded. Tubes 66 are then passed vertically through screw books 94 and their tops are secured in caps 88 by friction fit, in the manner shown in FIG. 5. Thereafter, the valance fabric 26 is stretched between thee two spaced tubes 66, wrapped around the tubes and pinned or stitched in place.

It is thus seen that various methods can be used for securing the tubes 66 in place. The important consideration is that the tubes 66 be substantially vertically extending and secured in this vertical orientation. In many instances, the screw hooks 70 will not be needed to maintain the rigidity of the tubes 66. When the tubes are secured directly in the ceiling, they can be screwed into the ceiling, screwed into the joists or held in place against the ceiling by screw anchors, toggle bolts or expansion fasteners.

One embodiment of the means for securing the drapery panels 22 and 24 in place is generally shown at 98 in FIG. 6. As seen in FIG. 6, the rod 76 is secured between side walls or window frame walls 96. However, the rod 76 can also be secured between hardware assemblies, such as assemblies 32 described above. The panels 22 and 24 are suspended from rod 76.

Referring to FIG. 8, it is seen that panels 22 and 24 are provided with a pair of laterally extending aligned pockets 100 and 102. The pockets 100 and 102 are formed at the tops of the panels 22 and 24 by vertically spaced lines of stitches. A pair of slots 104 is formed in the backside of each pocket 100. As seen in FIG. 8, slots 104 are formed adjacent the outer edges of each panel.

The rod 76 is threaded through slots 104 of each panel before the rod is secured in place on the wall. Thus, as is apparent in FIG. 8, th drapery panels 22 and 24 are supported by the rod 76, which is maintained in pockets 100. Additionally, as will be explained hereinafter, the panels 22 and 24 are laterally slidable along rod 76.

Pocket 100 in panel 24 has an opening formed adjacent the outer edge thereof, with an eyelet 106 secured in the opening Pocket 100 in panel 22 has a pair of openings with eyelets 108 secured therein. Eyelets 108 are positioned adjacent both outer edges of panel 22. A string 110 is threaded through eyelet 106, through pocket 100 in panel 24, through a first eyelet 108, through pocket 100 in panel 22 and out through the seond eyelet 108. String 100 is secured to the inner edge 112 of panel 24, as by stitching 114 or by any other convenient fastening device.

A pair of screw eyes 1 16 is secured to the walls adjacent the outer edges of panels 22 and 24. As seen in FIG. 6, these screw eyes are aligned with pocket 100, The outer ends of string 110 pass through the loops of the screw eyes 116 and hang vertically downward.

An opening having en eyelet 118 is formed adjacent the outer edge of pocket 102 of panel 22. Openings having eyelets 120 are formed in pocket 102 of panel 24. As seen in FIG. 8, a string 122 is threaded through the eyelets and pockets 102, and is secured in place at inner edge 124 of panel 22, as by stitching 126.

A second pair of screw eyes 128 is secured on the Walls adjacent the outer edges of the panels 22 and 24. Screw eyes 128 are aligned with pockets 102. As seen in FIG. 6. String 122 passes through screw eyes 128 and its ends depend vertically therefrom.

When it is desired to open the drapery panel 22, the left dependent en of string 122, as viewed in FIG. 6, is pulled. Since string 122 is secured to the inner edge 124 of panel 22, the pulling of the string will draw the panel toward the left wall, thereby opening the panel. Likewise, when it is desired to open panel 24, the right side of string 110 is pulled, thereby drawing the panel toward the right side.

When it is desired to close the panels, the opposite ends of the strings are pulled, thereby drawing each panel toward the center. With both strings pulled, closing the panels, the panel 22 will overlap the panel 24 as indicated by arrow 130 in FIG. 8, thereby giving the drapery a fully closed condition.

As is apparent from FIGS. 6 and 8, the rod 76 and strings 110 and 122 are completely hidden in use. with the exception of the dependent ends of the string. Even when the drapery is opened, the strings are sufficiently thin to avoid detracting from the appearance of the drapery. If desired, weights can be placed at the ends of strings 110 and 122 to aid in maintaining the tautness of the stringS.

A modified embodiment of the drapery is generally shown at 132 in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, a pair of panels 134 and 136 is provided, with each of the panels having pinched pleats 138. In order to install the panels 134 and 136, hooks 140 having loops 142 thereon are mounted in the backside of the panels in the position of each of the pleats. Each panel can be premarked for the position of inserting the hook in order to insure proper alignment of the drapery panels when installed.

A rod 76 passes through the loops 142 in order to support the panels on the backside thereof.

Likewise, strings 110 and 122 pass through each of the loops 142. String 110 is tied to hook 140 adjacent inner edge 144 of panel 134, as shown at 146. Likewise, string 122 is tied to the hook 140 adjacent the inner edge 148 of panel 136, as shown at 150.

The strings 110 and 122 pass through screw eyes, in the same manner as shown with respect to embodiment 98 in FIG. 6. The opening and closing of the panels is carried out in identical fashion to that described with respect to embodiment 98.

It is thus seen that an inexpensive and easy-to-install drapery system is provided. No elaborate traverse rods are necessary, and the alignment of the panels is easily accomplished. The valance use in the drapery can easily be taken down for cleaning or replacement. Since drawstrings are provided for the drapery panels, the panels will not be soiled when they are opened and closed.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge, readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as the invention is:

1. A combination drapery and valance for mounting on a wall, said valance comprising a pair of spaced tubes, means for securing said tubes in a vertically extending position, and a fabric including a stretchable portion wrapped around said tubes and stretched against the urging of said stretchable portion thereof to form said valance, the inherent tension of the stretchable portion of the fabric maintaining the fabric in place, said drapery comprising a horizontally mounted rod, a pair of panels slidably mounted on said rod, each of said panels having an inner edge, a drawstring attached to each of said panels, with each of said drawstrings being secured to its respective panel adjacent said inner edge, and said drawstrings having outer ends which are slidably mounted exteriorly of said panels, whereby the pulling of one outer end of each drawstring will slide said panel along said rod in a first direction and the pulling of the other outer end of said drawstring will slide said panel in the opposite direction along said rod.

2. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels has a laterally extending pocket formed therein, said rod being received in said pocket.

3. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels has pinched pleats formed therein.

4. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels has a plurality of hooks secured thereon, and said rod passes through said hooks.

5. The combination drapery and valance of claim 4 wherein said drawstrings are attached to said panels by securing said drawstrings to one of said hooks associated with each of said panels.

6. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels includes a pair of laterally extending pockets formed therein with one of said drawstrings passing through one of the pockets in each of said panels and the other drawstring passing through the other of the pockets in each of said panels.

7. A valance comprising a pair of spaced tubes, means for securing said tubes in a vertically extending position, and a fabric including a stretchable portion wrapped around said tubes and stretched against the urging of said stretchable portion thereof to form said valance, lthe inherent tension of the stretchable portion of the fabric maintaining the valance in place.

8. The valance of claim 7 wherein said tubes are secured to brackets, said brackets being mounted on a wall.

thereof, said shanks being threadedly secured in a ceilmg.

13. The valance of claim 7 wherein said means for securing said tubes comprises a pair of caps secured to a ceiling, each of said caps having a downwardly extending opening, said tubes being received in said opening.

14. The valance of claim 7 wherein the means for securing said tubes comprises a screw hook mounted in a wall, with each of said tubes passing through the loop of the screw hook. 

1. A combination drapery and valance for mounting on a wall, said valance comprising a pair of spaced tubes, means for securing said tubes in a vertically extending position, and a fabric including a stretchable portion wrapped around said tubes and stretched against the urging of said stretchable portion thereof to form said valance, the inherent tension of the stretchable portion of the fabric maintaining the fabric in place, said drapery comprising a horizontally mounted rod, a pair of panelS slidably mounted on said rod, each of said panels having an inner edge, a drawstring attached to each of said panels, with each of said drawstrings being secured to its respective panel adjacent said inner edge, and said drawstrings having outer ends which are slidably mounted exteriorly of said panels, whereby the pulling of one outer end of each drawstring will slide said panel along said rod in a first direction and the pulling of the other outer end of said drawstring will slide said panel in the opposite direction along said rod.
 2. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels has a laterally extending pocket formed therein, said rod being received in said pocket.
 3. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels has pinched pleats formed therein.
 4. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels has a plurality of hooks secured thereon, and said rod passes through said hooks.
 5. The combination drapery and valance of claim 4 wherein said drawstrings are attached to said panels by securing said drawstrings to one of said hooks associated with each of said panels.
 6. The combination drapery and valance of claim 1 wherein each of said panels includes a pair of laterally extending pockets formed therein with one of said drawstrings passing through one of the pockets in each of said panels and the other drawstring passing through the other of the pockets in each of said panels.
 7. A valance comprising a pair of spaced tubes, means for securing said tubes in a vertically extending position, and a fabric including a stretchable portion wrapped around said tubes and stretched against the urging of said stretchable portion thereof to form said valance, 1the inherent tension of the stretchable portion of the fabric maintaining the valance in place.
 8. The valance of claim 7 wherein said tubes are secured to brackets, said brackets being mounted on a wall.
 9. The valance of claim 8 wherein a sleeve is secured to each of said brackets and said tubes are telescoped over said sleeves and held in place by a friction fit.
 10. The valance of claim 7 wherein said fabric comprises a stretchable fabric,
 11. The valance of claim 7 wherein said fabric has two ends, each of said ends having a vertical pocket formed therein, with said tubes being received in said pockets.
 12. The valance of claim 7 wherein each of said tubes has a threaded pointed shank secured in the upper end thereof, said shanks being threadedly secured in a ceiling.
 13. The valance of claim 7 wherein said means for securing said tubes comprises a pair of caps secured to a ceiling, each of said caps having a downwardly extending opening, said tubes being received in said opening.
 14. The valance of claim 7 wherein the means for securing said tubes comprises a screw hook mounted in a wall, with each of said tubes passing through the loop of the screw hook. 